Espinosa was placed on the 15-day disabled list on June 4 (retroactive to June 3) with a fractured right wrist. He saw the Nationals hand specialist this week and received an MRI on both his hand and shoulder. Espinosa was discovered to have a torn left rotator cuff in the offseason, but opted to rehab the injury without surgery.

“They also did an MRI on his shoulder, put some dye in there, it revealed a little injury into his rotator cuff,” Johnson said.

“But that doesn’t bother him too much. He got a shot in his hand so he’ll probably be down for about four or five days before he can start doing baseball things. All that was kind of to be expected.”

Between Davey and Dr. Andrews reporting on injuries, I'd rather listen to that little girl on the Geico commercial. Then just put on a sticker that says "feel better". Like I'm really losing sleep over Espinosa. Det., I may just miss a nap. When everybody is back, and they keep losing, there will be more excuses because no one can face the facts, which are….

What sense does it make for Espi to be getting cortisone shots? Doesn't he just need to get healthy rather than trying to fight through symptoms? Does he intend to go the rest of his career without getting his rotator cuff repaired? I mean if last off season wasn't the time to do it, why would any off season be the right time?Are there any adults in the room that can tell him that his play is unacceptable and he needs to just suck it up and get completely healthy?

So does anyone know what the hand specialist's diagnosis was for Espi's wrist?Any quotes indicating that a cortisone shot is suboptimal treatment for said diagnosis, and that Espi refused any suggested optimal treatments?

TexNat is right. They reduce inflammation, which reduces pain and sometimes reduces wear and tear on inflamed tissue. I'm glad these guys will get two days off, personally, since many are banged up. The starters could be overamped by the time they pitch but I'm sure they have some sort of regimen to keep that from happening. RYFNR!

@Don – there is your scary thought and perhaps the real reason they were so reluctant to sit Danny down. If Ian goes out for any significant length of time we are really screwed as there is no one else anywhere in the organization who right now should be on the field as an MLB shortstop.

It's my understanding that inflammation can cause friction that exacerbates an underlying problem, delaying the healing process.Still curious about the answers to my questions, particularly regarding whether or not anyone has any quotes with actual information.

Thank you sweetrose. I'm amazed at how many lives this "we should keep Espi just in case Desi goes down" idea has. Lombo can play short, Rendon has played short. Walters is in the minors. Not great options I admit, but we will survive. And if there's a serious injury, Rizzo will trade for someone. I don't want a .150 hitter playing SS any more than I want him playing 2B.

From a fielding perspective, imo Lombo at second is close enough to Espi that I'd slot Rendon in at SS. Fielding-wise I wouldn't be any more worried about him there than at 2B, and his arm gives me more confidence than Lombo's. So basically defensively I think it would essentially be a wash…offensively, it's another story.

Eric, I'm pretty sure you wouldn't be giving someone a cortisone shot if that person had the option of either having surgery or simply resting for an extended period of time. It's pretty clear that the Nationals have sanctioned Espi having the shot so that he can get back to baseball ASAP. Johnson's quote above tells you that Espi is expected to be back to baseball activities in a matter of days:“He should be good to go in five days,” Johnson said.I just don't see any sense in that. Not given the way he is playing with the injuries. He needs to get actually healthy (not simply making due with pain and ongoing issues that require surgery).

Not sure I'd use the term "fault" when it comes to medical issues. I know I enjoy the right to medical privacy.What are the rules for teams revealing info about a player's injuries and other medical info? Anyone know?

As usual they're handling Espi with kid gloves. he doesn't deserve it — this is the guy who played hurt for a very long time knowing that if stepped away to get fixed, someone would take his place. He is selfish to the extreme and not a team player kind of guy. No, as Boswell reported: he's done – locker cleaned out, nameplate gone, and told 'get fixed and learn to hit in the minors." again, Boswell said this. Johnson is lying. Covering, again, for Espi — I don't know why. But Espi is done.

As usual they're handling Espi with kid gloves. he doesn't deserve it — this is the guy who played hurt for a very long time knowing that if stepped away to get fixed, someone would take his place. He is selfish to the extreme and not a team player kind of guy. No, as Boswell reported: he's done – locker cleaned out, nameplate gone, and told 'get fixed and learn to hit in the minors." again, Boswell said this. Johnson is lying. Covering, again, for Espi — I don't know why. But Espi is done.